“A Point of Pride in the Community”

President’s Newsletter

Volume 5, Issue 3—October 2012

Councilman Medina, Toyota award scholarships to SPC studentsSix City of San Antonio District 5 residents are the first recipients of Toyota-funded scholarships for study at the Southwest Campus of St. Philip’s College.

The recipients of $500 Councilman David Medina District 5 Scholarships for the 2012-2013 school year include: Connie Jean Castaño, Alberto J. Montez, Erick Medina and David E. Medina Sr., Jaimee Michelle Szesnat and Megan Karina Moncayo. The six were recognized by St. Philip’s College President Dr. Adena Williams Loston and District 5 Councilman David Medina during the councilman’s Annual Back to School event Aug. 11 in Roosevelt Park along the Riverwalk in San Antonio.

Co-announced by representatives from Alamo Colleges, Toyota and the council member during his visit to Southwest Campus June 27, the schol-arships will financially assist District 5 residents who choose to study full-time in such unique programs as manufacturing, biotechnology, aerospace and welding at the Southwest Campus of St. Philip’s College. The students have the

President’s Lecture Series: Kevin Powell

The St. Philip’s College President’s Lecture Series concluded its 2011-2012 season June 26 with a presentation from one of the most widely read African-American authors of this generation, Kevin Powell. College President Dr. Adena Williams Loston and the lecture series committee hosted a meet and greet for Powell prior to the public seminar titled “Barack Obama, Dr. King, and the Future of Civil Rights” that was located in the theater of the Watson Fine Arts Center. Students in two English composition classrooms received a treat when Powell walked in and facilitated roundtable discussions on societal issues.

The New York City-based Powell has published 11 books, including a collection of political and pop culture writings, “Barack Obama, Ronald

Reagan”, and “The Ghost of Dr. King: Blogs and Essays” (www.lulu.com). Powell’s diverse body of literary work includes articles, essays, blogs and reviews for audiences of “Essence, Rolling Stone, Newsweek, Esquire, The Washington Post, The Amsterdam News” and www.huffingtonpost.com. Powell was a founding staff member and senior writer of the “Vibe”

Inside this issue…2 Hospitality Graduate Students3 Early Childhood/Family Studies Accreditation3 Open House Season4 Summer Programs5 Network Security in Austin5 Professor Emeritus

6 Dr. Loston Recognized in Blackbook6 James Wright and Marye Gilford 7 Who’s Who in San Antonio7 SPC Student Recognition at NISOD7 SPC Adopts Bowden Elementary8 Partnership with Silver Stars8 Upcoming Events

President’s MessageGreetings friends, alumni, faculty, staff and students.

As we enter the first semester of our 114th year as a college, I would like to give you a brief glance back at a memorable and inspir-ing summer of student successes.

Our English composition students enjoyed the academic opportunity of observing both Juneteenth and the 40th anniversary of the signing of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law with guest lecturer Kevin Powell, one of the most widely read African-American authors of this generation.

The 2011-2012 academic year has rewarded our hard work with two excellent industry accreditations for more than 500 valued alumni.

The 2012 graduating class of tourism, hospitality and culinary arts program was the first to receive certification from the Accrediting Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration™, a designa-tion that will be in place for the next seven years. Because the CHG credential is only available from three hospitality programs in Texas, the credential was an immediate resume builder for the program’s 100 alumni.

Our early childhood and family studies program students and 400-plus alumni now each possess a new professional credential as well. Their program is now one the four community college programs in Texas to earn accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children's 2012 Commission on Early Childhood Associate Degree Accreditation.

We also celebrated the growth of our Mathematics, Engineering and Statistics Advancement summer program that provided students with mathematics instruction, college readiness preparation and college enrollment advising. Every summer program offered was filled to capacity. Camps in math, science and robotics offered hands-on study in medical instrumentation technology, atmospheric sciences, genetics, space exploration, mathematics and chemistry.

Please accept this invitation to visit our campuses very soon and observe us reshaping the futures of our students.

Best Regards,

Adena Williams Loston, Ph.D.President

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opportunity to use their scholarship funds for the fall 2012 semester.“The councilman is a wonderful role model for others to follow,” Loston said. “We encourage these students to pursue their studies and we thank both Toyota and the councilman for giving back to help our current students, new students and alumni,” said Loston. The first recipient of the $500 scholarship recognized during the ceremony was incoming college electronics and engineering student Erick Medina, an 18-year-old graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School. “I want to get into the engineering area by starting with an electronics certification program, and the $500 scholarship helps in getting me through my first semester,” said Medina. “It's good to see they’re helping people who live around the campus to afford to go to college in their own neighbor-hood,” Medina said.

Others in the diverse group of recipients include Castaño, a 35-year-old mother of three boys and a current student in the college’s network security administrator program and Szesnat, a 26-year old mother and student. “This is my last year in the occupational therapy program at St. Philip’s College. The $500 schol-arship allows me to focus more on school and my four-year-old during my last year in college,” shared Szesnat.

Hospitality Graduate Students can now use CHG titleTourism, hospitality and culinary arts alumni will now receive certification from the Accredit-ing Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration™. This industry-recognized professional certification has been given to only three hospitality programs in the State of Texas and only one program in the college’s service area. The formal title of the commission’s certifica-tion is Certified Hospitality Graduate (CHG), which was first awarded to graduates of commission–accredited academic programs in 2009, our certification of accreditation from the commission is for a period of seven years effec-tive 2012—2019. St. Philip’s program, under the leadership of department chair Mary Kunz, typically graduates 100 students annually.

Because the credential is industry recognized, Kunz considers it a value–added resume builder for her department’s alumni, as they are gradu-ates from one of the few programs in Texas meeting industry standards.Commission Executive Director Dorothy C. Fenwick, Ph.D., said students who graduate during the 2012—2019 time period are autho-rized to add the commission credential abbrevi-ated CHG to their resumes upon graduation. The first group of CHG credential holders received their credentials during the 127th commence-ment ceremony on May 11, 2012.“The May 2012 graduating class at St. Philip’s College was immersed in the evaluation process for a year, and they deserve this status,” said Commission Executive Director Dorothy C. Fenwick, Ph.D. “We want our commission to be involved beyond the actual accreditation, and this helps us do that.” “This is a significant achievement for your program,” said Dr. Fenwick. “The St. Philip’s College’s program has been evaluated by outside third party colleagues in an invaluable peer review, and found to meet our commission’s standards, standards which were developed by members of both academia and the hospitality industry it serves. The roster of our commission which voted unanimously to accredit the program at St. Philip's College was made up of represen-tatives from Grand Hyatt Atlanta, Sodexo Human Resources and San Ignacio de Loyola University of Lima, Peru,” Dr. Fenwick concluded.

magazine where his interview and profile subjects ranged from Colin Powell to Tupac Shakur.

“My most important message for the English composition seminar students at St. Philip’s College was that it’s not enough to write. You must get on the internet and share your story,” Powell said.

“You could tell that there was something different about this man as he entered my class,” wrote English student Marshall Shepard. “He interviewed rapper/actor Tupac Shakur for “Vibe” magazine, which I do take great interest in. He was completely up to speed on our final assignment which focused on proposing ideas on how to fix different societal issues,” wrote Shepard. “This interested him greatly, and he proceeded to ask around the room for everybody’s topic. He built a real connection with each individual he asked, especially with me.”

When Powell finished his seminar, Shepard went to the Watson Fine Arts Center to hear Powell speak.

“We started and ended our 2012 President’s Lecture Series with dynamic speakers,” said

Loston. “It was a privilege to hear Kevin Powell’s perspectives on issues relevant today. Our students enjoyed the academic opportunity of observing Juneteenth and the 40th anniver-sary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law from a fresh perspective with Kevin Powell. It was enlightening for our students to learn that the progress we’ve made toward fulfilling educational opportunities has included advances by people of all ethnicities in our nation, and that much remains to be accomplished so that we all can benefit in a global economy where a college degree is necessary to obtain financial security,” Dr. Loston said.

“America is not the country it once was,” Powell said. “We can sit together civilly no

matter our racial backgrounds. I would not be standing here if not for the civil rights move-ment, and I represent possibilities. My grand-parents could barely write. Girls in their era dropped out of school to pick cotton. President Obama would not exist without great gains being made in this country. What matters most is what we as a people do to transform them-selves out of nothing in a way that says some-thing about the spirit of America,” said Powell.

The St. Philip’s College President’s Lecture Series provides opportunities for the college and community to hear noted speakers’ perspectives on local and global issues once each fall, spring and summer. The forum is free and attracts students, faculty and staff from the college in addition to members of the local community.

Call lecture Series Committee Chair Beautrice Butler, the college’s director of enrollment management, at (210) 486-2670, for details on the lecture series. The 2012-2013 President’s Lecture Series includes Patti Solis Doyle on Oct. 25, 2012, Herman Boone on Feb. 12, 2013, and Azure Antoinette on June 20, 2013. The speaker’s complete bios are online at http://www.alamo.edu/spc/president-lecture-series/.

Medina (from page 1)

Powell (from page 1)

The SPC College Leadership Team welcomed KevinPowell on June 26 as part of the President’sLecture Series.

Open House Season helps boost recruitmentThe recruitment season for our popular nursing, hospitality and business programs began with a lineup of open house events.

Revis L. Bell, program director for business management, organized the Business Information Solutions department open house May 5 in the Bowden building. Facility tours and question-and-answer sessions were led by department faculty, while the department staff offered high school students hands-on education sessions focused on current trends in the world of information technology, and current network security administrator students taught kids the proper use of the internet.

The department’s commitment to community service was also shared with open house visitors; promoting the Volunteer Income Tax

preparation program which returns millions to local taxpayers annually, and our new network security student organization that assists as first responders in the unfortunate event of a cybersecurity situation such as a computer virus.

Students, parents and educators citywide were invited to preview our Tourism, Hospitality and Culinary Arts programs at “A Night in Old St. Philip’s College Open House” this past Spring. Under the leadership of Associate Professor and Hotel Management Advisor Deb Romeo, 140 visiting instructors, current students, student service representatives and alumni learned what it takes to become an SPC hospitality student.

The 2012 recruitment season for the SPC vocational nursing certificate of completion program began with two days of free open house and information sessions in the atrium of the Center for Health Professions building, and in the Central Texas Technology Center in New Braunfels.

Faculty and staff met many candidates for St. Philip’s College vocational nursing program which prepares entry–level vocational nurses to provide safe nursing care in a variety of settings. Open house visitors were able to experience how students in both San Antonio and New Braunfels benefit from contact with experienced professionals - in class, in clinical settings off-campus, and with operators of such advanced training aids as computerized nursing simulation mannequins. Just as a pilot first learns to fly in a simulator that poses no danger to people, open house visitors saw how the college programs lifelike simulators are used to train students to

perform their jobs.

Visitors also learned about financial aid, student membership in the college’s Vocational Nursing Student Association, and community service opportunities for the city’s mass casualty exercise.

“Recruitment efforts for nursing certificate candidates began with nursing education open house events,” said Rose Spruill, SPC’s dean of health sciences. “We invited potential certificate candidates to see how we make the area’s talented students better through excellent faculty, simulation technology and clinical experiences in leading area hospitals.”

Location, modernization, quality of experience, low tuition and a legacy of student success are among the most attractive factors potential students wanted to discuss with the staff at both open houses, added Annette Bailey, our vocational nursing program director.

Many visitors prepared for their open house experience by viewing certificate program details online and following the program on Facebook, concluded New Braunfels Program Instructor and Coordinator Connie Cox.

Early Childhood and Family Studies receives accreditation

Early childhood and family studies students and 400-plus alumni now each have a new professional credential to share as they seek jobs in the profession, transfer to four-year institutions or serve children in workplaces which range from the San Antonio Zoo to Costa Rica. Under the leadership of Program Director and Assistant Professor Pamela Ray since 2006, our program is now one the four community college programs in Texas to earn accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children's 2012 Commission on Early Childhood Associate Degree Accreditation.

The commission of peer reviewers completed its evaluation in October 2011. The accreditation notification came March 8 verifying that the St. Philip’s College program is one of 128 in only 26 states to earn the NAEYC Early Childhood Associate Degree Accreditation.

“It's a well-deserved credential for our students and our alumni,” Ray said. “A six-year plan was developed to have our degree program accredited by 2012, and it worked. It was a pleasure to receive a notification letter with positive notes from the commission on support from our administrative leadership.”

The college was also praised for its accomplishment in a letter co-written by Commission Chair Elisa A. Huss-Hage and Senior Director of Higher Accreditation and

Program Support Alison Lutton.

"We are very pleased to welcome St. Philip's College to the growing community of institutions sponsoring programs that have earned NAEYC Early Childhood Associate Degree Accreditation," Lutton and Huss-Hage co-wrote.

SPC host summer enrichment programs for youth

St. Philip’s College’s summer enrichment programs for younger students are complete for 2012.

The season included math and science education in the Centers of Excellence for Science and Mathematics at the college’s Southwest Campus, and a camp for kids on the college’s main campus.

The Science and Math Summer Academy and the Advanced Space TEAMS Robotics Camp offered activities to middle school and high school participants ages 11-15. Hands-on activities included experiences in medical instrumentation technology, atmospheric sciences, genetics, space exploration, mathematics and chemistry. Students also attended weekly field trips reinforcing lessons taught in class. The academy field trip lineup for the 2012 season included the Witte Museum, Natural Bridge Caverns, the IMAX® theatre, OCTA-TETRA Museum and the San Antonio Zoo.

The San Antonio Pre-Freshman Engineering Program (PREP) Year-Two program and the college’s Space TEAMS Robotics Camp were registration success stories for both students and faculty, with both offerings totally enrolled by December and April respectively. Offered June 13-July 31, the year-two program for 2012 was part of a four-year course to groom students for success in STEM studies and related careers, explained Site Director Dr. Gloria Guerra.

The Mathematics, Engineering and Statistics Advancement (MESA) program hosted seven college-bound high school students from Milton B. Lee STEM Academy and Sam Houston High School. Renita Mitchell, chair of the college’s math department and the MESA coordinator, designed the program to provide students with

mathematics instruction integrated with online advanced instructional software and college readiness preparation. The seven students also received college enrollment advising while learning how to manage and navigate the enrollment processes.

MESA participants engaged in daily lunch hour learning sessions with science, technology, engineering and mathematics industry professionals. Rackspace, Toyota, Whataburger and Shimadzu employees shared their inspiring academic and career journeys over lunch on campus. In the coming months, the seven students will re-visit St. Philip’s College for a refresher on coursework, college admission and financial aid preparation.

On June 28, more than 400 guests enjoyed a rousing patriotic performance by the college’s Academy of Fine Arts’ Jazz Band and its San Antonio Youth Wind Ensemble in the theater of the Watson Fine Arts Center. The 25-piece student jazz band opened the show with favorite tunes like “Malaguena.” The 71-piece student wind ensemble concluded the free performance playing a number of pieces dedicated to members of the armed forces to include the patriotic classic “Stars and Stripes Forever.” The ensemble included participants from 13 independent school districts, home school students and Alamo Colleges.

The K-8 Summer Academy concluded its thirteenth year on Aug. 17. More than 40 participants completed a 10-week program which combined academics, fine arts, sports, and field trips designed to stimulate each child's intellect, enhance social skills and

provide an opportunity to have fun while learning. The Academy faculty and staff offered a wide range of courses and activities which included science exploration, creative writing, sports camps, computer training, and nutrition. Gardening science was added this year which allowed the students to plant an on-campus garden located at the Learning and Leadership Development Center; students also participated in the maintenance of campus-wide gardens.

Camp 98.6 is a St. Philip’s College recruitment program that allows motivated health science technology high school students one week of seminars during the summer with the college’s Allied Health staff as well as exposure to the lead Level I trauma center for all of South Texas. Eleven health science technology students from the Fox Tech High School Health Professions Magnet program participated in the June 18-21 program which began with study in the Dr. Frank Bryant, Jr., Patient Simulation Center and Nursing Laboratories, and concluded off campus at the University Hospital, where participants were exposed to the primary teaching facility for The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

SPC Professors awarded emeritus title

Congratulations to all faculty recognized this spring and summer with emeritus titles upon their retirements from outstanding service with St. Philip’s College.

The academic title emeritus is often added to formal titles to denote an individual who retires and retains the academic rank they held upon their retirement or in memory upon their passing.

The 2012 professor emeriti are: Dr. Jonathan Paul DeVierville; Dr. William David Bentley; Dr. Deborah Byrd; Dr. Laureen C. Cate; Isabel De Pedro; Dr. Janet A. Flores; and Ivie James “Jim” Klaeveman (1942-2011), who has received a posthumous professor emeritus appointment.

These professor emeriti join Dr. Frederick A. Bakenhus (2011), Pearl Conyers (2011) and Dr. William C. Davis (2010) as the college’s retired faculty members to gain emeritus status in recent years.

"Congratulations are deservedly in order,” said St. Philip's College President Dr. Adena Williams Loston. “Through their final years of service, our 2010-2012 emeritus faculty collectively contributed directly to our college earning the distinction of graduating the greatest numbers of developmental or at-risk students in our state for more than a decade,” Loston said. “Jim was an outstanding instructor who passed away on a day when he turned in his students’ final semester grades,” said Loston. “In the tradition of his colleagues and those who preceded him in our college’s emeritus ranks, Jim was truly dedicated to serving our students, profession and community," Loston said.

BIS faculty visit Texas House of Representatives

The Texas House of Representatives Technology Committee has been examining ways the state can create incentives to recruit or retain technology companies while examining the feasibility of public-private partnerships. Committee members were intrigued by the success of employers hiring and meeting with students in St. Philip’s College network security administrator academic program which offers students two National Security Agency certifications upon completion of the course.

In a 10-minute closed session at the State Capital building in Austin, committee members heard testimonies from Business Information Solutions Department Faculty Member Haydar Thomas Sahin, and Department Chair Janie Gonzales on the workforce education piece of the committee’s ongoing study. Students Eddie Dennis and Steve Garza accompanied Sahin and Gonzales to Austin.

Sahin developed the curriculum and coordinated both courseware certifications on behalf of St. Philip’s College, which graduated its second class of students on May 11. Gonzales and Sahin described the uniqueness of the SPC network security program, which includes a pipeline that successfully takes students on a journey directly from high school to SPC, then on to a four-year university and employment in an economically strategic industry. Both were pleased to offer an environment where the innovation of students and faculty are positively driving this particular segment of the technology market in SPC’s service area.

"As I was preparing to work on our committee interim charges for the 83rd legislative session, I decided to look more into St. Philip’s College as a resource on how public-private partnerships were being established within higher education institutions and technical colleges,” explained Maricela De Leon, the Capitol chief of staff/chief committee clerk for State Representative Aaron Peña and the Texas House Committee on Technology.

“Mr. Sahin testified before the committee identifying the best practices that have worked for the college and the partnerships they have garnered with little or no state support. After our committee hearing, Mr. Sahin and Mrs. Gonzales met briefly with Representative Pena and me. We discussed informally the interim charge they testified on, the State of Texas within the technology industry, and the collaborations colleges like St. Philip's are engaged in,” Ms. De Leon concluded.

Employees Living Our Values

SPC employees Belinda Brown, Stacie Coy-Mahula, Gabriela Perez, Gina Jasso and Aurora Medina, were recipients of the Fall 2012 St. Philip's College Living Our Values program recognition for Accountability (Brown), Integrity (Coy-Mahula), Community (Perez), Communication (Jasso), and Creativity (Medina).

These individuals join Spring 2012 award recipients Kevin Schantz, Janie Gonzales, Patrick Evans, Sylvia Aguilera, and Luis Lopez in recently receiving this honor.

Since 2010, the St. Philip's College has invited its employees to recognize peers who bring one of the college's five values to life through their actions. The Living our Values selection team identifies one nominated employee for each of the college values twice a year for this honor.

VALUESIntegrity: By having the courage to act ethically, we build a culture of trust and respect. Communication: We engage in open and transparent communication, information sharing and collaboration. Community: We are committed to a joyful culture of learning and service where unity in diversity occurs through mutual respect, cooperation and accessibility. Creativity: We value creativity, growth and transformation through vigorous inquiry and a free exchange of ideas for all. Accountability: We take responsibility for our actions and strive for continuous learning and improvement.

Deborah Byrd, Isabel de Pedro, Pearl Conyers and Janet Flores attended the retirement ceremony held in August to honor all of the college retirees.

Brown Perez

Jasso Medina

Sizzling Summer Series: SPC takes on another President Obama initiative

The Career and Transfer Services Office staff at St. Philip's College performed community outreach through their Sizzling Summer Series employment readiness workshops for a total of 25 individuals ages 16-24.

A series of five three-hour professional devel-opment presentations related to various aspects of career planning and employment preparation were marketed to members of several area summer youth programs and through community events. The workshops entitled Finding the Right Career, Letting the Resume Speak for You, Credit Matters, Fullest Potential-Education Power, Formally Incarcer-ated (Breaking the Chains), and Career Fair Success were offered June 11-Aug. 9 on the college’s main and branch campuses. Each workshop was facilitated by an industry partner in the program.

"This was truly a collaborative effort to ensure that our youth received quality information and left each workshop prepared for an ever-changing economy," said St. Philip's College Career and Transfer Services Office Coordinator Yolanda Crooms. “St. Philip’s College supported the Obama administration's goal of providing job training and employment workshops to college students and community members ages 16-24 through this program,” said Crooms.

Remembering two of our own: James Wright and Marye Gilford

The St. Philip's College family extends condolences to the family and colleagues of former Business Informa-tion Systems Department Chair Marye B. Gilford (1925-2012), who passed July 20. Marye B. Gilford

was the chair and a faculty member in the department from 1986-1998 at the time she retired. Professor Gilford taught at St. Philip’s College from 1970-1998; she and her family were one of the three contributing families that donated the SPC historical marker that currently stands in front of the Center for Learning Resources. She endowed a scholar-ship at St. Philip’s College and the first schol-arship will be awarded for study in 2012, according to Interdisciplinary Programs Senior Secretary Nan Schreiber.

"Mrs. Gilford was a caring, ethical, hardwork-ing woman who loved St. Philip's College, its students and staff. I pray that this beautiful soul finds peace and rest," said retired St. Philip’s College senior secretary Pat Davila, who was both a student and subordinate of Gilford's at the college. "Mrs. Gilford was an excellent teacher. When I began to work for her, I learned that she insisted that any corre-spondence that left her office had to be free of mistakes. If it had an error, she insisted that it be redone until it was error free. But Mrs. Gilford was never impatient or unkind. She treated everyone she met with respect, even

her clerical assistant. If I have any work ethic, I believe that Mrs. Gilford instilled that in me," Davila shared.

The St. Philip's College Family also extends condolences to the family and colleagues of retired Middle College Programs Director (1997-2012) and Women in Nontraditional Occupations Program Founder James Wright (1945-2012). Those who knew Wright remem-ber him as a great human being with a long and proud history of serving those in need. His love and compassion for the students in the SPC community was demonstrated in participation as the State Representative to SkillsUSA and serving on the Speakers Bureau Motivational for school districts, foster care programs and young jail inmates. A career soldier and educa-tor, Wright was a retired Army Sgt. Maj. who passed on July 4 and was buried with full military honors in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The James H. Wright Memorial Scholarship Fund, St. Philip's College Office of Institutional Advancement, Attn: Dr. Sharon Crockett-Bell, 1801 Martin Luther King Drive, San Antonio, TX 78203.

Dr. Loston Recognized in Blackbook Top 10

The president of St. Philip's College is one of six educators featured in volume two of both the online and n e w s s t a n d editions of San Antonio's largest business directory and executive

listing with an African-American focus.

Dr. Adena Williams Loston was profiled in the “Blackbook Directory and Yearbook Volume

II”, published in July 2012. In the article profiling her professional journey, Dr. Loston explained that her journey to education began early with influence from both her mother and father.

When asked what her legacy would be, Dr. Loston responded that we all must utilize the gifts and talents that are entrusted to us and she would like it to be said that "She made a difference.”

With a foreword penned by former “San Antonio Express-News” columnist and author Cary Clack, the book highlighting the African-American community in San Antonio is a resource for stories on successful African-Americans and advertising businesses that benefit through sales leads, identification with the African-American business

community and community access to news and event announcements in San Antonio’s African-American market.

Joining Loston in the education category are Dr. Willis Mackey, Annie Holmes, Edd White, Sr., James Howard and Robert Blount, Jr. Mackey is superintendent of the Judson Independent School District. Holmes is a trustee for the Northside Independent School District, White is a trustee for the North East Independent School District. Howard is a president of the San Antonio Independent School District, and Blount is a trustee for the Northside Independent School District.

The online directory can be found at www.BlacksInSanAntonio.com.

SPC receives Hispanic Contractor’s Association award for Science Building renovationsSt. Philip’s College was recognized by the Hispanic Contractors Association de San Antonio during the association’s 2012 Excel-lence Through Diversity Awards Gala July 20 in the El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel.

Lacy Hampton, vice president of college services; Ruth Dalrymple, vice president of academic affairs and other campus representa-tives attended the gala as the college received an award in the Owner category for the $3 million project to renovate the 27,000 square-foot third floor of the Dr. William C. Davis Science Building. The renovation included new labs for both chemistry and physics programs, classrooms, study area and an office suite for faculty and staff. The contractor for the renovation, Skanska, received an award for the same project in the Contractor category.

Nursing student Denise Thompkins receives recognition by NISOD

Students, staff and faculty were recognized by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development membership during the institute’s 2012 annual conference May 27-30 in Austin.

Nursing student Denise Tompkins was recognized as a Best-in-USA Student Essayist for 2012 by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development and Community

College Week magazine. Ms. Tompkins’ essay, “The Gift”, was selected from more than 1,000 entries nationwide and she was presented with a $1,000 honorarium at the 2012 edition of the institute’s annual conference.

English Program Faculty Member John “Mike” Moran, Physical Therapy Assistant Program Faculty Member Laura Miele, Dean of Interdisciplinary Programs Dr. Karen Sides and First Year Experience Center Staff Member Larry Medina received 2012 Excellence Awards from the institute.

St. Philip’s College adopts Bowden Elementary SchoolSt. Philip’s College is proud to have adopted San Antonio ISD’s Bowden Elementary School, a kindred spirit in the pursuit of quality education. The school’s namesake, Artemisia Bowden, led St. Philip’s College for 52 years through very difficult circumstances and turbu-lent times.

On Aug. 24, college staff delivered more than 250 notebooks and 200 journals. These items were donated by the faculty, staff, administra-tion and students of St. Philip’s College MLK campus and Southwest Campus.

St. Philip’s is dedicated to helping young students in the community have the best oppor-tunity possible to succeed in their education and in their lives.

The Bowden Elementary School Principal Guadalupe Diaz was so moved by the college’s show of solidarity that she sent the following letter.

August 12, 2012

To the faculty, staff and administration of St. Philip’s College:Bowden Elementary is proud to be adopted by St. Philip’s College. Our goal is to also become the pride of the Eastside. Words cannot express how grateful I am for the notebooks and journals that you have graciously donated. This has ensured a great beginning for our students and that has made a difference. I personally want to say THANK YOU.

I look forward to our partnership and am very excited about the wonderful opportunity for our students at Bowden.

Sincerely,Guadalupe Diaz

Art Hall and Dr. Crockett-Bell named Who’s Who in San AntonioThe 2012 edition of “Who’s Who in San Antonio – Highlighting the Achievements of San Antonio’s Most Influential African Americans” features Art Hall, dean of Continuing Education and Dr. Sharon Crockett-Bell, director of Institutional Advancement, in the Interesting Personalities section.

“Our stories serve as a resource and networking guide for the greater community by exposing children to positive role models, and providing motivation and inspiration to our youth, who are our next generation of leaders,” said Dr. Crockett-Bell.

Dr. John Travis (left) and SPC President Dr. Adena Williams Loston (right) recognize nursing studentDenise Tompkins (center) for her national award.

SPC staff prepares to deliver donation toBowden Elementary.

Silver Stars honor SPC as an education partner

On June 1 in the AT&T Center, St. Philip's College was recognized as a five-year educa-tion partner of the San Antonio Silver Stars.

Several students, employees, alumni, friends and family members attended in the college

colors to support the on-court halftime recog-nition of the St. Philip’s College Presidential Scholar Kim Lischke, Phi Theta Kappa honor society students Del Powell, Carolina Perales, Raymond Alavarado and Konnie Harper and National Science Foundation Presidential Scholars Stephan Engel, Nathaneal Benitez, Ryan Ellis and Maged Ayad.

While fans met the students, STEM Outreach Coordinator Ruben Prieto, Director of Student Services Ana Lisa Garza and Recruiter/Advisor Deborah Gee staffed college information tables, and employee Michelle Burnett sang “God Bless America” at the conclusion of the halftime recognition, while new commercials marketing Alamo Colleges were broadcast on the jumbotron.

SPC hosts Summer Employment Youth Program

Twenty-eight prospective college students from low-income households ages 16 - 24 were paid to assist St. Philip's College employees in the college's daily operational duties through the Summer Work program offered by the Texas Workforce Commission June 11 - Sept. 28.

The program resulted in 8,890 hours worked and a $71,120 savings in labor (data provided by Texas Workforce Commission).

"This program has an exciting impact on the participant’s lives and their future, and it has helped the college at the same time," said St. Philip's College Career and Transfer Services Office Coordinator Yolanda Crooms.

1801 Martin Luther King Dr.San Antonio, TX 78203

Newsletter StaffEditor/Writer - Rebecca M. Villarreal, Director of Community and Public RelationsDesigner - Jason Rickman, Senior Multimedia SpecialistWriter/Reporter - John Dendy, Public Information OfficerEditorial Assistant - Marsha Hall, Interim Assistant to the PresidentPhotographic Support - Patrick Evans, Media Services

Upcoming EventsNov. 27 – Honors Convocation, Watson Fine Arts Center, 5;30 p.m.Dec. 14 – 128th Commencement Ceremony, Freeman Coliseum, 7 p.m.

Save the DateJan. 21 – MLK Day of ServiceFeb. 12 – President’s Lecture Series featuring Herman Boone, Watson, 11 a.m.March 1 – Fifth Annual Golf TournamentMarch 8 – Artemisia Bowden Day